- Survey finds East Midlands SMEs think EU hinders their business and jobs
- 45 regional business people backing the campaign
A Nottinghamshire businessman is urging the local business community to vote to leave the EU ahead of a new regional campaign which is launched today (Thursday 7 January) by Business for Britain.
Nigel Baxter, who is regional chairman of Business for Britain East Midlands, believes many SMEs want to see a fundamental change in the UK’s relationship with the EU and that too much control over the British economy has been given away to EU politicians. According to Business for Britain, the East Midlands sends £1.05 billion to the EU every year.
He said: “The SME sector makes a Herculean contribution to the British economy in terms of investment, wealth creation and jobs. That means it has an influential voice which must be listened to. Being handcuffed to even more EU rules and regulations will stifle enterprise and growth making it harder to create jobs.”
Nigel Baxter is also managing director of RHCV, which specialises in sales, parts and servicing for commercial vehicles and is an authorised selling agent for Renault Trucks. The £14 million turnover business employs 80 people across three sites in Lenton Lane, Nottingham, Cossington in Leicestershire, and Alfreton in Derbyshire. It provides a range of services for East Midlands SMEs including contract hire, fleet management, rentals and contract maintenance.
According to a new YouGov survey of East Midlands SMEs released today, regional businesses surveyed want to see real changes in the UK’s relationship with the EU. The survey found:
- 70 per cent of East Midlands smaller businesses surveyed want the UK to control negotiating trade deals
- 30 per cent of East Midlands smaller businesses think that the EU is making it harder for their business to employ people compared to just 7 per cent believe it is making it easier to employ people
- More than twice as many East Midlands smaller businesses think that EU regulation hinders rather than helps them
- 60 per cent of smaller businesses in the East Midlands believe that the UK can trade and cooperate with the EU without giving away permanent control over our economy
Nigel Baxter added: “The EU is not fit for purpose. I want to see powers come back so we can have better governance, and make rules that are better suited to the needs of businesses in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands. As an SME owner which trades with European companies I believe businesses could thrive outside the European Union and that’s why I will be voting to leave.”
The Business for Britain campaign will provide a platform for East Midlands businesses to engage in the debate in the EU referendum. The East Midlands regional council, which includes chairman Nigel Baxter and Peter Stephens from John A Stephens, Ewan Lamont from Legendary Games, Christopher Tate from Donington Park Racing, Christopher Nieper from David Nieper Ltd and Charles Wade from Wade Furniture Group, will provide a platform for local businesses to engage in the debate in the EU referendum. Business for Britain is backing the Vote Leave campaign – which is campaigning for a leave vote in the EU referendum.
For further information visit: www.businessforbritain.org